State Farm Disaster Assistance

Before a disaster can be federally declared, a
governor usually declares a state of emergency in the affected
area. Then the state emergency management agency assesses
damages and submits the assessment to federal officials.

If a disaster is severe, and damages are widespread, it
will likely be declared a federal disaster. But many
times a disaster declaration remains at the state level.
In those cases, farmers may be eligible for state aid which may
include funds from the state emergency management
agency, state Department of Agriculture, or other state-
run agencies.

In addition, each state has a group of Voluntary
Organizations Active in Disaster, or "VOAD." This
coalition of agencies, which varies from state to state,
may include the American Red Cross, faith-based disaster
response organizations, Habitat for
Humanity, and other groups. The VOAD is in close contact
with the state emergency management agency through a
Volunteer Agency Liaison, or "VAL." The VAL keeps
volunteer groups informed about people's needs and also
helps volunteer groups coordinate how they'll help.

Many state emergency management agencies also offer tips
on disaster preparedness, as well as weather warnings
and forecasts which enable farmers and others to better
tell when a disaster is likely to strike. State
emergency management agencies coordinate their work with
state-level offices of the National Weather Service.
Weather warnings and watches come out of state-level
offices of the National Weather Service.

Just because a disaster isn't federally declared doesn't
mean there is not aid available to farmers in need.
Farmers can find out about aid available to them by
contacting their state-level emergency management
agency. And if state aid is not enough, a farmer may be
able to get help from organizations involved in the
state VOAD.

The following links will provide an overview of some state-based disaster response services: